HORIZON-EUROPE MSCA-COFUND-2022

We offer three PhD projects focusing on innovative Raman-spectroscopic techniques for drug monitoring in biofluids, gas sensing, and biomedical imaging. We work at the interface between physics, chemistry, engineering and life sciences. Our goal is to research and develop novel optical spectroscopic techniques for highly relevant biomedical and life science applications.

1st Project: Gas Sensing

In this project, we are researching novel, highly sensitive and selective Raman spectroscopic gas measurement techniques. An important focus of the project is research into innovative signal enhancement mechanisms in order to detect even trace gases with the lowest concentrations. With our developments in fiber-enhanced (FERS) and cavity-enhanced (CERS) Raman gas spectroscopy, we are at the forefront of international research. Highly sensitive Raman gas spectroscopy is an extremely promising method for the analysis of breath biomarkers and thus for early, non-invasive disease diagnostics and therapy monitoring.

2nd Project: Biomedical Imaging

The project investigates new parallelized techniques for rapid chemical imaging of biomedical processes. We are building on our work on fiber-based Raman spectroscopic imaging to generate high-resolution molecule-specific images of biomedical samples. These images can provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of disease, the diagnosis of pathologies, and the evaluation of therapies. Raman spectroscopy is a non-invasive, non-contact, label-free and quantitative method that can be used in physiological environments with no further sample preparation and is therefore excellently suited for biomedical applications.

3rd Project: Drug Monitoring Biofluids

The project focuses on innovative Raman spectroscopic techniques for rapid and label-free monitoring of disease biomarkers and drug levels in body fluids. The focus lies on research into signal enhancement techniques for highly sensitive Raman spectroscopy of active pharmaceutical ingredients. An important goal of the project is to enable rapid therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) at the point-of-care in order to achieve personalized treatment for individual patients. In the future, these developments will enable the efficient treatment of critical illnesses without the risk of treatment failure and without serious side effects.

Cryogenic microsystems for tissue engineering

This project combines classical microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology and cryogenics to explore new opportunities at the frontier between cell cryopreservation and tissue engineering. Our group has extensive experience in developing microfluidic technologies for sample preparation in cryogenic light and electron microscopy. Here, we will build on these methods to investigate new approaches to cryopreserving single cells with high fidelity without cryoprotectants. A long-term perspective of the project will be the scale-up from single cells to more complex tissue models. Open scientific questions in this regard relate to two key areas: the technology required to produce microstructured three-dimensional scaffolds with the necessary low-temperature thermal characteristics, and the existence of suitable culture conditions and protocols that provide adequate freeze-tolerance. Students with a strong background in microfluidics or microelectromechanical systems and some experience in the biomedical field, in particular with cell culture models, will be well prepared for the project.

We offer three PhD positions focusing on the following topics:

1st Project: AI-Methods for molecular design and synthetic biology

The Self-Organizing Systems Lab (SOS) is performing research in synthetic biology at the intersection of computational modeling and wet-lab biology research for molecular circuit design. As part of a collaborative research project, we are seeking reinforcement for research in the field of deep generative AI and computer-aided design methods for synthetic biology. The tasks include the development of AI methods, in particular deep sequence models and diffusion models, for the design of novel biomolecules such as transcription factors, regulatory RNAs, and structural proteins. We offer a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment closely connected to current developments in AI and biotechnology, as well as the opportunity to combine theoretical and experimental approaches in innovative ways. Ideal candidates should hold a degree in computer science, mathematics, theoretical physics or electrical engineering.

2nd Project: Bottom-up construction of artificial cells

The Self-Organizing Systems Lab (SOS) is performing research in synthetic biology at the intersection of computational modeling and wet-lab biology research for molecular circuit design. We are looking to fill a research position in the domain of synthetic/artificial cells. The aim of the project is to construct programmable cell compartments based on liposomes and polymersomes that can be functionalized with channels, transporters and receptors. The compartments should then be combined with gene-regulatory circuits running of cell-free transcription/translation systems. The goal is to de-novo design molecular Sense-Compute-Response systems that can realise basic homeostatic and signal processing operations. Microfluidics for the high-throughput generation are available with the group. Ideal candidates should hold a degree in biochemistry, polymer chemistry or biophysics.

3rd Project: Design of gene-therapeutic circuits

The Self-Organizing Systems Lab (SOS) is performing research in synthetic biology at the intersection of computational modeling and wet-lab biology research for molecular circuit design. Within this project, you will develop synthetic biology methods for the design of gene-therapeutic circuits in the context of cancer. Your tasks include the design of molecular components for gene regulatory networks, as well as the characterization and optimization of such genetic circuits using high-throughput assays. You will conduct expression studies of non-coding RNAs across different human cell lines and integrate genetic circuits into selected cell lines to experimentally evaluate their functional impact. This includes apoptosis analysis, RNA and protein expression profiling, and immunofluorescence imaging. Ideal candidates should hold a degree in molecular biology or biochemistry

BioMedical Printing Technology is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine. It aims to develop processes and demonstrators that advance regenerative and personalized medicine, improve quality of life in an aging society, and drive the biologization of technology.

Using functional and multidimensional printing, we enable gentle integration of living organisms, functional materials, and electronic components. A core example is 3D bioprinting, where living cells embedded in hydrogels are printed to form tissue structures.

Our research spans diverse applications:

• Biosensors for detecting antibiotic residues in food or early pathogen identification.
• Bioprinted in vitro models that enable patient-specific drug testing and reduce animal experiments.
• Bio-printed tissues as implants in regenerative medicine, potentially reducing reliance on donor organs.
• In vitro meat production, aiming to provide animal- and climate-friendly alternatives to conventional meat.

By uniting living and technical matter with cell-friendly manufacturing, the institute addresses medical, technological, and sustainability challenges. BioMedical Printing thus offers both innovative healthcare solutions and resource-conscious approaches for the future.

PhD positions for In-Cell Structural Biology at the Technical University Darmstadt

The project will investigate FKBP-Hsp90-steroid hormone receptor complexes by large-scale, site-specific, in-cell photo-crosslinking. The aim is to unravel key states and interactions partners of FKBP51, a key target for depression, obesity-induced diabetes and pain.

Candidates are interested in biochemistry, molecular & chemical biology and the application to drug discovery and should have a master in life sciences or (bio)chemistry with a solid background in cell and molecular biology & protein biochemistry techniques, such as in Baischew_Engel et al., Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023, Geiger et al., Angew Chemie Int Ed. 2024, Taubert et al or Bulldan et al.

We offer training in cutting-edge molecular biology techniques and dedicated mentoring in an interdisciplinary & international group, and industry exposure within the PROXIDRUGS and MC4DD consortia and the MoProX initiative. Further infos available here